A remarkable feat under the floodlights of Livigno Snow Park. Just over three months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Stubai, 18-year-old Flora Tabanelli claimed a sensational bronze in big air at Milano Cortina 2026.

Olympic Youth champion at Gangwon 2024 and reigning world champion and World Cup crystal globe holder in the discipline, Tabanelli becomes the first Italian freestyle skier — male or female — to reach an Olympic podium. Competing at her first senior Olympic Games, she delivers Italy’s 23rd medal (eight golds, four silvers and 11 bronzes), with six days of competition still remaining.

She qualified sixth with 161.50 points, then in the final — delayed over an hour due to wind and snowfall — scored 90.00 on her opening trick and 94.25 on her third run, combined with 84.00 from her second attempt for a total of 178.25. Only Canada’s Megan Oldham (180.75) and China’s Ailing Eileen Gu (179.00) finished higher. Fellow Italian Maria Gasslitter placed ninth with 159.25, capping another excellent performance in her debut senior season.